Roaming Around Rome

I landed at the Da Vinci airport in the evening. From the airport, I caught an express train to the main station in Rome, Termini, which is located in the north of the city. I checked into a hostel near the station and enjoyed a plate of pasta from one of the many sidewalk cafes with their cozy tables surrounded by souvenir stands, currency exchanges, and gelato shops. Before bed, I took a look at my maps to plan a route for the next day, where I’d see highlights like the Campo de’ Fiori, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps.

I was so excited to see the narrow streets and vibrant piazzas of the city center. In lieu of breakfast, I had an espresso, which was delicious and affordable. Rome’s distinctive cafes serve up delicious coffee for €1 or €1.50, and it’s the perfect pick-me-up if your energy ever wanes while exploring the city. I walked from the pillar of the Immaculate Conception, a monument where fresh flowers are placed at the top annually by Rome’s fire brigade, to the Spanish Steps, a huge staircase where literary giants of the 19th century were known to meet.

I was especially taken with the Pantheon, an ancient Roman temple that has been well-preserved over the centuries. The dome of the Pantheon is a true architectural marvel, and I was in awe of its size and beauty. No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the Trevi Fountain, a Renaissance work made famous in film where visitors can toss coins in the hopes of a return to the city (or finding marriage, depending on what superstition you believe). Smaller, though just as impressive, is the fountain in the center of the Piazza Navona, a huge plaza lined with cafes including the birthplace of the chocolatey dessert Tartuffo. In a church adjoining the piazza, you can view monumental Caravaggio paintings freely open to the public.

This day I visited the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, two of Rome's most famous ancient sites. The Colosseum was massive and imposing, and I could imagine the thrilling battles that took place within its walls and the rowdy crowds eating, drinking, and shouting, probably much the same as you would see today at an AS Roma football game. The Roman Forum was equally impressive, with its well-preserved remains of ancient Roman temples, public buildings and palaces. You can see a bronze door still on its original hinges from over 2000 years ago. I highly recommend taking a guided tour to fully appreciate the history and significance of these sites. Next to the forum is Palatine Hill, a breezy park with great views of the city.

Today I visited Vatican City, home to the Pope and the world's largest collection of art and artifacts. I was genuinely awestruck upon entering St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches in the world and certainly the most imposing. Inside, make sure to see the Pieta sculpture, one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces. The church and square are open to the public, and you can see the Pope say a blessing from a window every day at noon. Tickets are required to enter the Vatican museums, which contain a mindblowing collection of art and artifacts from ancient Egypt to modern times, as well as frescoes by Raphael and the Sistine Chapel with its iconic ceiling.

Today I explored two of Rome's most charming neighborhoods, Trastevere and the Jewish Quarter. Trastevere, meaning “across the Tiber”, is a hip neighborhood across the Tiber river from the main part of Rome. It’s fascinating for fans of architecture, because most of it has not been redeveloped like the rest of the city, so you can see medieval structures with modern flats built up over them.

There are a lot of great restaurants in this neighborhood where you can sample Rome’s four iconic pasta dishes, Gricia, Cacio e Pepe, Carbonara, and Amatriciana, all of which contain pecorino romano cheese and are delicious. It was a hot day, so before crossing the bridge into the Jewish Ghetto, I enjoyed a grattachecca, ice hand-shaved from a big block with added syrup. On this little bridge, without any plaque or glass over it, is a stone from the time of Julius Caesar with its Latin inscription still visible. The Jewish Ghetto has a fascinating history, as Rome’s Jewish community was legally confined there for centuries, developing a unique culture. The signature dish of this neighborhood is a fried artichoke which was very tasty.

Sadly, it was time to say goodbye to this incredible city. I will never forget the vibrant energy, rich history, and delicious food of Rome, and I can't wait to come back again someday.